Page 125 of Pinch of Love

I held a Ph.D. in psychology and had practiced for over a decade.

I knew better.

I knew better.

Yet, he sank his infected claws into me.

I swallowed down my fury and pride and waited for Rob to come into view. As the officers walked him out of the family room, I saw him. He limped with each step.

His head hung down until he saw me.

Rob stopped and turned, much to the surprise of the officers, and spat at me.

“Whore.”

Cash’s entire body turned rigid before he shot away from me and through the door.

His entire body became Hulk-like as he torpedoed into Rob, barreling him to the ground. Both officers looked at Nate, who shook his head while Cash sank his fist into Rob’s chin, followed by another punch to the cheek.

Nate leaned over Cash with the help of the other two officers and picked him up. His eyes clouded with fury. He looked like a wild animal, glancing at Nate and the other officers.

“Do we?” one of the officers started to ask.

“Nah.” Nate shook his head. “I didn’t see anything. Did you see anything?”

One of the officers stared at Rob quivering on the floor. “Well, I did see him trip. Maybe? I don’t know. I wasn’t really paying attention.”

Cash’s gaze lightened as he came to and caught my gaze. He mouthed a simplesorry, but all I could say back wasthank you.

Nate let out a nervous chuckle. “Okay, so I think we should try this again.” He pointed at the officers and Rob, who they picked up quickly and escorted all the way out of the house without incident this time.

And for the first time, it was as if Cash was getting a view of what had transpired within his house. The kitchen cabinet doors had been opened in my search to find something to stop Rob. The drawers were opened, and contents littered the floor in my attempts to stop him. Lamps were tipped over in the family room, cushions no longer on the couch.

But I did it. I managed to beat the bastard off with the 911 operator recording everything.

All the would-be threats and taunts were finally captured.

“Chewie,” I screamed from nowhere. “Where’s Chewie?”

Panic drilled through Cash’s expression. “Oh, no.”

He darted into the dining room, calling for her as I hollered for him.

“Cash, she tried to attack him. She barked at him and bit his ankles.”

“Shit,” Cash muttered, calling for her with every loud step upstairs.

I started shaking as I lifted the cushions and checked under the table and chairs. The loud stomping upstairs made my stomach clench with dread.

And his dog too?

He didn’t deserve this.

Oh, God.

No.

Cash’s footsteps stopped.